A bone cyst is a benign pathologic cavity found in the bone. It is a cavity with a lining and is either filled with fluid, semi-solid or gaseous contents. Bone cysts are mostly not aggressive (unlike bone tumours). For the most part, they build up slowly and the age group they involve are children and younger-age group adults.
What are the symptoms of bone cyst ?
Bone cysts normally are free from symptoms and are discovered mostly accidentally during incidental radiographic examination. Rarely, however, pain, swelling and altered sensation can be present. As the bone is thinned out by the cyst, pathological fractures can often occur in the cystic area of bone. Pathological fractures are fractures which arise in weakened bone even without undue trauma.
What are the common types of bone cysts ?
The bone cysts can occur either in jaw bones, in which case they are known as odontogenic cysts (associated with teeth or tooth bearing apparatus) or they can occur in the long bones such as the arm bone or humerus and the thigh bone or femur. Here, in this article, we will discuss the cysts seen in the long bones of the body. These are of two common types:
- Unicameral Bone Cyst- A unicameral, or simple, bone cyst is a common, fluid-filled benign bone cyst.
- Aneurysmal Bone Cyst- This is a benign, expansible bone cyst that consists of numerous blood filled channels.
How is a bone cyst caused ?
There are many different causes, based on the type of bone cyst.
- Unicameral Bone Cyst- Etiology still remains unclear for this cyst. It is possible that this cyst arises as an outgrowth of the epiphyseal or the growth plate or from abnormal synovial tissue in joints.
- Aneurysmal Bone Cyst- The cause is trauma to a bone resulting in a clot. If the clot does not undergo organization and repair it may liquefy, with the consequent formation of a cystic defect.
How do you diagnose a bone cyst ?
This is an area where radiology plays an important role in aiding the correct diagnosis, by delineating the exact size of the lesion and its relationship to adjacent structures. Computed tomography & magnetic resonance imaging are important auxiliary tools for the diagnosis of bone cysts.
How can bone cysts be treated ?
The treatments for the various bone cysts vary according to its location and extent in the human body. Some bone cysts spontaneously resolve with age, so these can be monitored accordingly and left as they are. The treatment for a bone cyst is best decided by an orthopaedic surgeon. It can be done by cryotherapy or surgery.
Surgery
- Curettage: As the name suggests, the cyst is curetted out of the bone, which means it is removed out of the bone with a curette. After the curettage, the bone defect is filled with a bone graft.
- Bone Resection: This is done if there is a doubt of recurrence of cyst.
Both options are also normally done as outpatient surgeries and the patient can go home, the very same day, once he or she is in the all-clear.
What is the recovery period like after the removal of bone cysts ?
This entirely depends on the cyst’s location and its extension. Complete recovery can be expected within 3 to 6 months, if post-operative instructions are followed carefully. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled by your doctor to ensure there is no recurrence.
How to find and reach orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of bone cysts ?
Now you can find and reach orthopedic surgeons for bone cysts treatment from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple orthopedic surgeons, get cost estimates for bone cysts treatment from different hospitals, compare things and then choose an orthopedic surgeon for bone cysts treatment.
Find, reach and choose an orthopedic surgeon for the treatment of bone cysts on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
